Thursday, September 29, 2011

Montreal, 29 September 2011 – At their thirty-fifth annual meeting, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77, in adopting in New York on 23 September 2011 their Ministerial Declaration, recognized the important outcomes of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (COP-MOP 5) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, held in Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 29 October 2010 and from 11 to 15 October 2010, respectively, which represent a significant contribution to the comprehensive implementation of the three objectives of the Convention.

The Ministers called for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 as the overarching biodiversity framework as well as the ongoing efforts aimed at translating the Aichi Targets into national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The Ministers also took note of the adoption and opening of signature of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from Their Utilization. The United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 provides a unique opportunity to engage the people of the world in the battle to protect life on Earth and Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to spare no efforts for the successful implementation of the objectives of this decade.

A training workshop on "Wetland Biomonitoring" is organized on 10 & 11
November 2011 at Centre for Ecological Science, Indian Institute of
Science.
This course is focused on training PhD students who work on the following
research areas (1)Wetlands biodiversity,(2)Wetlands water quality
monitoring,(3)Phytoplankton studies and (4)Wetlands Ecosystem services.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Montreal, 28 September 2011 – Cape Verde, Mozambique, Slovenia and Togo are the latest signatories to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits

Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This brings the total number of signatories to 64. The Protocol was opened for signature in February 2011. These four signatories join 60 others that have previously given their commitment to take steps towards ratifying the Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force 90 days after deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. The pace established by today’s signatures points to a clear momentum towards the early entry into force of the Protocol by the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, scheduled for October 2012.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “Twenty-one Parties have signed the Nagoya Protocol at the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly and more than 200 participants attended the Ministerial Breakfast on the Protocol chaired by the President of the Conference of the Parties, thus demonstrating the continued commitment of the international community as a whole for its early entry into force.”

The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol will provide greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources, creating a framework that promotes the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge while strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use. Hence, the Protocol will create new incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has provided financial support for the early entry into force and effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund was established by GEF with an initial financial contribution of US$ 12.5 million from Japan. In addition, a medium-sized project of US$ 1 million is providing support to the ratification and early entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol through a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. The project is executed by the Secretariat of the Convention and is now fully operational.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

*Terraviva Grants*– This is a reminder that there is an excellent source of grant information on the Terraviva grant website. The website lists funds available by monthly deadlines. Many grants are species or country specific so are not listed in the more general opportunities below See the site: http://www.terravivagrants.org/Home/funding-news/application-deadlines-2.

*Sept. 30 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Small Grants 2011*
Through the Bentham-Moxon Trust, Kew Gardens (UK) makes 30 to 40 small grants per year to botanists and horticulturalists for plant collection and field research, international visits or work at Kew, travel and conferences, and other project support. Grants must involve a developing country. The closing date for applications is 30 September. Link <http://www.kew.org/about-kew/policies-information/bentham-moxon/index.htm>

*Oct. 14 -**Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund - Polynesia/Micronesia Biodiversity*
The CEPF calls for proposals to protect biodiversity in Polynesia and Micronesia. Objectives are to control invasive species; strengthen the conservation status of 60 key biodiversity areas; and build local awareness regarding protection and recovery plans for threatened species. The program is open to NGOs, community groups, private enterprises, and other civil society organizations. Applications are invited for small and large grants. Grants are up to US$100 thousand. The closing date is 14 October 2011. *Link <http://www.cepf.net/grants/Pages/default.aspx>*

*Oct. 31 - Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund*
The Fund makes grants for species conservation worldwide, with emphasis on species that are endangered or critically endangered (based on IUCN's Red List). Grants are US$5 thousand (small grants) or US$5 thousand to US$25 thousand. The next deadline for applications is 31 October 2011. Link <http://www.mbzspeciesconservation.org/grant-applictions.php>

*Oct. 31 -**Whitley Awards*
Whitley Awards were developed to recognize effective leaders and communicators from around the world who are applying sustained, effective effort to conserve the natural environment. The projects we fund are pragmatic, have long-lasting impacts and aim to fully include local communities in wildlife and habitat conservation. Only applications from individuals who are nationals of the countries where they are working, that are *_not_*defined as a High-Income Economy by the World Bank (with some exceptions), are eligible to apply. At each Whitley Award Ceremony there are up to nine Whitley Awards of £30,000 each, plus the Whitley Gold Award. Link <http://www.whitleyaward.org/application_process.php>

*Oct. 31 - Equator Prize 2012 - Call for Nominations
*The Equator Initiative calls for nominations for the Equator Prize 2012 to recognize 25 outstanding local initiatives that are advancing solutions for sustainable development. The Prize is open to community-based and local groups that are active in rural areas, and that have been in operation for at least three years. Each of the 25 recipients of the Equator Prize 2012 will receive US$5 thousand, and 10 will be selected for special recognition and a total of US$20 thousand. Nomination forms are available in 16 languages. The list of eligible countries is posted in the announcement. The closing date for nominations is 31 October 2011. Link <http://www.equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=663&Itemid=697>

*Nov. 7 - Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Africa Seed Grants and Asia Seed Grants*
Both programs make grants for wildlife conservation and research in their respective regions. Projects focusing on bushmeat (Africa), wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, human-wildlife disease, and habitat degradation and loss are of special interest. There are no application restrictions by nationality. Grants are US$1,000 to US$3,500. The deadline for pre-proposals is 07 November 2011. Link <http://www.clemetzoo.com/conservation/grants/>

*Dec. 1 - SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund*
The Conservation Fund makes grants for wildlife conservation, research, and education. Most grants are US$5 thousand to US$25 thousand for one year. Applications are accepted from U.S. non-profit organizations, non-profit organizations in other countries, government entities, accredited universities and research centers, and institutions accredited by AZA or AMMPA. Applications are due no later than 1 December 2011. Link <http://www.swbg-conservationfund.org/grantPolicies.htm>

**

*Dec. 31 - Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation*
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation makes grants for global environmental stability in the themes of climate change, biodiversity, access to water, and the fight against desertification. Its geographical priorities are the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions, and Least-Developed Countries. Priority support will be given to projects focusing on, among other topics, “Conservation efforts for species in critical danger of extinction according to the IUCN Red List” and “the effects of global warming on biodiversity”. Pre-applications for grants are accepted from 02 November 2011 through 31 December 2011. Link <http://www.fpa2.com/fondation.asp?page=deposez_vos_projets>

*2. IUCN Awards*
This is a reminder that the deadline for nominations of high level awards for conservation work to be presented at the 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Korea in 2012 is coming up on September 30^th . Please see more information on the awards and on the nomination process here: http://iucn.org/about/iucn_awards/.

*3. SSC Chairs meeting*
All SSC Specialist Group Chairs and Red List Authorities should have now received confirmation of the dates of the SSC Chairs meeting that will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE from *February 23 – 27, 2012*. We hope that you all can make it! You will be receiving an email very soon to verify confirmation of your attendance at the meeting so please look out for that and reply to it when you see it.

*4. Deadline for Nominations of the SSC Chair – October 31^st *
The SSC Steering Committee has now appointed a 3 person /ad hoc /Committee to receive nominations from SSC members for candidates for election as SSC Chair at the next World Conservation Congress. More information on the process of Congress elections can be found here <http://www.iucn.org/about/union/members/?8039/Call-for-nominations-for-Council-positions-to-be-elected-at-2012-Congress>. The current Chair, Simon Stuart, will finish his first term in 2012 and is willing to stand for re-election – Commission Chairs may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Montreal, 27 September 2011 – Through the Convention Secretariat’s partnership with the Conseil Général de Moselle, marked apples have been produced with the logo of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and offered to the signatories of the Convention’s Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization and the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Marked apples were also given to the three winners of the 2011 World Futures Award on the best forest policy, during a ceremony hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society, a partner of the Convention Secretariat, which took place at the Central Park Zoo in New York on 21 September. The marked apples were also given to ministers attending the ministerial breakfast on access and benefit-sharing held in New York on 22 September on the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly and attended by over 200 participants.

A special marked apple featuring the logo of the United Nations was presented to the President of the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, at a meeting on 24 September 2011. During this meeting, the Geneva Call for Urgent Action on the Implementation of the Successful Nagoya Outcomes, adopted on 3 September 2011 by past, present, and future presidents of the Conference of the Parties, was handed over, as was an invitation to attend the special meeting of past, present and future presidents of the three Rio conventions to mark the twentieth anniversary of those treaties, scheduled to be held at Château de Bossey, Switzerland, on 3 September 2012.

In 2010, the Conseil Général de Moselle produced marked apples with the logo of the International Year of Biodiversity. These apples were handed over to the heads of delegation attending the high-level segment of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, held in Nagoya, Japan, on 27-28 October 2010.

Patrick Weiten, President of the Conseil Général de Moselle, said: “These marked apples are a contribution of the people of Moselle, to raising public awareness and engaging the policy makers of the world in the fight to protect life on Earth.”

The marked or “illustrated” apple is an ancient tradition that reached its peak in France in the nineteenth century. A method scarcely used in the rest of the world, it was reinvented in Japan in 1970. The entirely natural technique is based on controlling the coloration of the fruit. Thanks to the bagging of the apples, their unpacking, and the setting up of a stencil at key times of their growth, the apples become “fully-fledged masterpieces”.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “Human beings have always, and will continue to, and continue de learn form the wisdom of nature. The marked apples produced by the Conseil Général de Moselle are a reminder of the need to live in harmony with nature and achieve the successful implementation of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets at the latest by 2020.”

Montreal, 26 September 2011 – On the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly, six more countries—Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Grenada, Madagascar, Niger and Serbia—have become the latest signatories to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

This brings the total number of signatories to 60. The Protocol was opened for signature in February 2011.

These six signatories join 54 others that have previously given their commitment to take steps towards ratifying the Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force 90 days after deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. The pace established by today’s signatures points to a clear momentum towards the early entry into force of the Protocol by the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, scheduled for October 2012.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity said: “In less than one week, 18 Parties have joined the growing number of signatories of this unique legal instrument at the service of the sustainable development agenda, thus demonstrating the commitment of the international community as whole for its early entry into force.”

The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol will provide greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources, creating a framework that promotes the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge while strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use. Hence, the Protocol will create new incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has provided financial support for the early entry into force and effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund was established by GEF with an initial financial contribution of US$ 12.5 million from Japan. In addition, a medium-sized project of US$ 1 million is providing support to the ratification and early entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol through a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. The project is executed by the Secretariat of the Convention and is now fully operational.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Montreal, 26 September 2011 – The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and UN-HABITAT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in New York last week on the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The new collaboration with UN-HABITAT will allow the Convention’s Global Partnership on Local and Sub-National Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities to expand its reach and capacity by working with the agency’s large network of municipalities in Africa and other developing regions.

According to figures from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a third of the population growth from now to 2030 will take place around large cities in Asia, Latin America and Africa. This rapid urbanization by the poorest, presents an opportunity for local authorities to come up with innovative solutions to sustainable urban development.

To address this and to stop biodiversity loss and implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, sustainable urban solutions need to be promoted and smart infrastructure provided.

The MOU covers a variety of projects including:

- Production and dissemination of the first global assessment on the links between urbanization and biodiversity management, the City Biodiversity Outlook

- Cooperation in joint events such as the World Urban Forum and the City Biodiversity Summits to take place at each meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (including the “Cities for Life” Summit in Hyderabad, India, 16-17 October 2012)

- Capacity-building and the subnational and local implementation of Convention’s work on biosafety, inland waters, urban agriculture, invasive alien species, communication, education and public awareness (CEPA), and climate change, and in the application of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices in urban design, planning and operations.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “It is a pleasure to work with Mr. Joan Clos, who, as the former mayor of Barcelona, was a pioneer in sustainability. It is fitting for a globally renowned mayor to head the United Nations agency on cities.”

Last week, UN-HABITAT was also a signatory to an MOU that created the heads of agencies task force for the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

Forest and Nature for Society (FONASO) is a three-year world-class Joint Doctoral Programme (180 ECTS). FONASO is part of the Erasmus Mundus programme initiated by the European Commission to enhance and promote European higher education throughout the world. The language of the programme is English.

Sustainable forest and nature management

The main objective of the FONASO programme is to educate the leaders of the future generation of researchers, teachers and top management staff working with sustainable forest and nature management, in both tropical and temperate regions, to ensure wider societal benefits. Within forest and nature management, the programme is focused on the scientific fields of (i) economics and policy, and (ii) ecology and silviculture. The emphasis is on applied research.

The FONASO Consortium

The FONASO programme is offered by a Consortium that includes globally top ranked universities and leading international research organisations. The programme builds on existing research schools and environments, taking the best from each to build up joint supervision, activities and doctoral candidate courses. The Consortium consists of seven partner institutions and five associate institutions:

Saturday, September 24, 2011

A new map highlights the importance of conserving Yasuni National Park as the most biodiverse ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, and maybe even on Earth. Scientists released the map to coincide with the United National General Assembly in support of a first-of-its-kind initiative to save the park from oil exploration through international donations to offset revenue loss.

Friday, September 23, 2011

For the month of October Durrell Wildlife Park will host an exhibition of photographs and artwork by volunteers, staff and even a few drawings from Durrell’s very own “Artist in Residence” Gina the orangutan.

Yesterday we discovered a group of green frogs sitting under a goldenrod plant looking upwards. We soon discovered that they were carefully watching pollinating insects and would jump up to catch their prey! Awesome to watch! Mike Leveille

Forest laws and policies in Rwanda, The Gambia and the US beat out 17 other nominees to win 2011 Future Policy Award

New York, 21 September 2011. Rwanda’s National Forest Policy was proclaimed the winner of the 2011 Future Policy Award. The Gambia’s Community Forest Policy and the US Lacey Act with its amendment of 2008 received the Silver Awards. The three winning policies which most effectively contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of forests for the benefit of current and future generations were announced on 21 September 2011 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The announcement will be followed by an awards ceremony at the Central Park Zoo convened by the World Future Council, the Secretariats of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Forest Stewardship Council, and hosted at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“Exemplary policy solutions do exist. The Future Policy Award celebrates the best of them. The aim of the award is to raise global awareness for these policies and speed up policy action. We need visionary policies which support a sustainable and just world and protect future generations,” says Alexandra Wandel, Director of the World Future Council, an international policy research organisation that provides decision-makers with effective policy solutions. The 2011 Future Policy Award shines a spotlight on the success stories and challenges faced by the world’s forests and the people who depend on them.

“Rwanda has sought not only to make its forests a national priority, but has also used them as a platform to revolutionise its stances on women’s rights and creating a healthy environment,” says Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Honorary World Future Councillor and Founder of the Green Belt Movement.

Despite continuing population and land pressures, Rwanda is on course to reach its goal of increasing forest cover to 30% of total land area achieving a major reversal in the trend of declining forest cover. Forest cover has already increased by 37% since 1990. Massive reforestation and planting activities that promoted indigenous species and involved the local population were undertaken, and new measures such as agro-forestry and education about forest management were implemented. Rwanda has also been a pioneer in banning plastic bags: in 2008 a bill was introduced to prohibit the manufacture, import, use and sale of polythene bags in the country.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Honorary World Future Councillor visited Rwanda in February this year together with Goodwill Ambassador Edward Norton and states: “Rwanda is an inspiration for the world. The national policy to heal and restore nature, through a border-to-border restoration programme, will create the basis for a healthy and resilient society of the future. This policy is placing Rwanda firmly on the map as a global environmental leader, and I hope many other countries will follow.”

Heavy illegal fishing in Bertichhu and developmental activities nearby are threatening the white-bellied heron population roosting around the Berti village in lower Mangdechhu basin in Trongsa, central Bhutan. Experts suggest that the road between Goling and Trongsa via Tingtibi at the confluence of Bertichhu and Mangdechhu, deter the white-bellied heron’s routine flight for feeding and roosting. Mangdechhu is Bhutan’s second largest habitat for the white-bellied heron. The entire basin is known to host four herons with a breeding pair. Only 26 herons are seen in the country.

A promotion for the world's best-selling beer, will encroach the protected breeding ground of the Tibetan antelope, Chiru in Kekexili – also known as Hoh Xil – is one of the least populated areas on earth. A debate has ensued as the Snow Beer – which is partly owned by the London-based SABMiller brewery company – is offering its customers an expedition to Kekexili, a remote region high on the Tibetan Plateau that is supposed to be off-limits to everyone except scientists with permission from the national government.

The population of hangul(Cervus elaphus hangul), popularly known as ‘Kashmir Stag’ has increased in Jammu and Kashmir state as an infantry regiment of the Indian Army is collaborating with state forest department in saving this magnificent animal from poachers. The population of this exquisite red deer has increased to 218 from 172 in Dachigam National Park and its adjoining areas since 2004.

In Assam, culling of wild and domestic birds to stop the spread of avian flu, has started in Dhubri district. More than 4,000 birds at Bhamundanga have been culled, which is regarded as the epicenter of avian flu in Dhubri district. About 24,000 birds will be culled in the affected zone.

The 24-ha municipal dump yard lies on the eastern corner of Deepor, a biodiversity-rich wetland in Assam. The dump yard came up in 2005, three years after Deepor was declared a Ramsar site with 40 km2 area. Now, only 10 km2 remains. On its southern end, a crucial elephant corridor and habitat of the hoolock gibbon occur. Pollution and improper sewerage blocked the rain water flow into the Bramhaputra as the city never had a sewage treatment plan.

Banke National Park, one of Nepal´s five protected areas with 18 tigers, remains virtually unguarded as the army personnel who were supposed to be deployed a year back, are not there. The park management has built five new security posts for the army at the cost of NPR 10 million but they are without water and electricity. The army says it cannot dispatch its soldiers without ensuring basic facilities.

Malaria has affected management of Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. From 2006 to 2009 over 70 per cent of the forest staff in the reserve, which lies in a protected area in the Eastern Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot, suffered from malaria. Its treatment cost park managers nearly three per cent of their total budget besides an annual loss of 44,160 man hours of anti-poaching effort.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Our first Biodiversity Youth Mentor, Tarin Rogers, represented the youth of Canada for the first national tree day celebrations. Guests included Hon. Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Royal Galipeau, M.P. who introduced the motion to declare a National Tree Day for Canada, Steve Desroches, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ottawa, Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada, among others. Tarin spoke of the importance of trees and he discussed our ASLA Butternut Conservation Project at Macoun Marsh.

Tarin presented a butternut seed to Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is a brillant story about how humanity has made a mess of the environment and that hope in the future depends on us. The main character is a little mossy man named the Lorax that has come to the aid of a beautiful forest of bright coloured trees. The industious greedy Once-ler nearly wipes out the tree species by overharvesting them. A broken-hearted Once-ler gives the last seed of this tree to a young boy, instructing him to grow a forest! A strong conservation story of hope for all ages. Mike Leveille

Montreal, 20 September 2011 – At a signing ceremony organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with 25 of the largest international agencies, organizations and environmental conventions for implementation and achievement of the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The signing ceremony took place at the margins of the high-level event on desertification of the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly with the participation of Katsuhiko Yokomitsu, Vice Minister of the Environment of Japan representing the President of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10), held in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010. The memorandum creates a task force to provide a platform for agencies to coordinate their activities in support of the achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are a set of 20, time-bound, measureable targets agreed by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010, that are now being translated into revised national strategies and action plans by the 193 Parties to the Convention. Achievement of the targets, which were welcomed at the sixty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, will contribute to reducing, and eventually halting, the loss of biodiversity at a global level by the middle of the twenty-first century.

“Achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets requires the active engagement of all stakeholders without exception, as well as the global commitment of their partners,” said Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “It is for that reason, we are glad that so many agencies and organizations have agreed to join forces and support the translation of the Aichi Targets into a vibrant reality.”

In order to promote synergies and avoid duplication, the participants unanimously appointed the co-chairs of the seventeenth session of the Environment Management Group, Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Rebeca Grynspan, Associate Administrator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The participants unanimously appointed Mrs. Monique Barbut, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), as the goodwill ambassador of the task force.

Montreal, 20 September 2011 – The Joint Liaison Group of the Rio Conventions has agreed to mechanisms and procedures that will improve their coordination and therefore their contribution to sustainable development.

The executive secretaries of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are pleased to report the adoption of the terms of reference and modus operandi that sets the Joint Liaison Group’s mandate as:

- Enhancing coordination between the three conventions, including the exchange of relevant information

- Exploring options for further cooperation between the three conventions, including the possibility of a joint work plan and /or a workshop.

These will be implemented based on five guiding principles to ensure that the work of the Joint Liaison Group is based on country driven needs, is completed with existing resources and mandates, and minimizes the duplication of work while maximizing cost-effectiveness.

Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD said: “The current famine and drought in the Horn of Africa highlights how closely climate change, desertification and biodiversity are interlinked. It is therefore timely that the secretariats of the three Rio conventions have agreed to work increasingly closely together. To tackle the major threats facing our planet, and particularly among the world’s most vulnerable, we need strong overarching policies focusing on sustainable development. The opportunity to apply policy instruments of each convention within an integrated approach will also allow us to address the major global goal of poverty eradication and food security.”

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “As the international community is preparing in the lead-up to Rio+20, which is also the twentieth anniversary of these three conventions, this initiative establishes a solid foundation to enhance synergies between these unique tools for sustainable development in a mutually supportive manner, that addresses the inter-related challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation.”

Monday, September 19, 2011

Montreal, 19 September 2011- Demonstrating the continued and growing collaboration on the biodiversity and water agendas, Anada Tiéga, Secretary-General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, paid a visit to the seat of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal. His visit follows the very successful meeting of the Biodiversity Liaison Group (BLG) in Château de Bossey, Switzerland, on 4 September 2011.

During his visit, Mr Tiéga, addressed CBD staff and commented on the interrelationship between biodiversity, water and wetland issues. He also met with the staff of all the relevant divisions of the Secretariat to finalize the new work programme between the two conventions to be submitted to the respective conferences of the parties to be held in 2012. The new work programme will also support the implementation of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.

“Without water, you cannot have biodiversity. If you do not protect biodiversity, however, water will be of poor quality,” he said. “We now know that protecting our water supply is not only linked to protecting wetlands, but is also inextricably linked to forest policies and protection. Working together we can ensure protection and therefore sustainable development.”

Mr. Tiéga congratulated the Convention on Biological Diversity on its groundbreaking work on cities and biodiversity and indicated that Ramsar was looking forward to following this approach in its own work and finding ways to also build linkages with local authorities.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “More than ever the synergy among the biodiversity-related convention is required to meet the unprecedented challenges to translate the Aichi Biodiversity Targets into reality. This is the spirit and letter of the new work programme between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention.”

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Thirty two youth from ten Ottawa area schools joined us for our first module of our Biodiversity Mentorship Program. We wish to particularly thank our partners from Notre Dame Catholic, St. Patrick's High School, Henry Larson Public, and Devonshire Public for their assistance. The program was taught by science educator Michael Leveille. Mr. Leveille is also the Director of Biodiversitymatters.org.

The youth had the opportunity to view our in-school nature museum.

We had an absolutely beautiful morning to explore the Macoun Marsh.

One youth found a Buffalo Treehopper (Ceresa alta)

We had a bit of excitement when a rare European mantis (Mantis religiosa) landed on the head of one of our visitors!

Our next class on the Connections between Biodiversity and our Daily Lives will be on October 15th.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Montreal, 15 September 2011 – In the context of the Second Meeting on the Implementation of the Plan of Action on Sub-National Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities on Biodiversity, held in Bonn, Germany, from 4 to 6 September 2011, Stockholm University (SU), through the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on the preparation of the first edition of the Global City and Biodiversity Outlook to be submitted to the second Summit on Cities and Biodiversity to be held in Hyderabad, India on 15-16 October 2012 just prior to the High Level Segment of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The City and Biodiversity Outlook will present the status of biodiversity in urban area highlighting best practices and lessons learned on urbanisation and biodiversity.

The MoC was signed in Bonn on 6 September 2011 by the Executive Secretary of the Convention, Ahmed Djoghlaf, by the Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm University, Kåre Bremer, SRC Director, Johan Rockström and SRC professor, Dr. Thomas Elmqvist. The ceremony took place with the participation of the Mayor of Bonn, Jogen Nimptsch.

Dr. Elmqvist said: “Due to our inter-disciplinary approach towards governance of social-ecological systems, the Stockholm Resilience Centre has been fully involved with the CBD initiative on cities and biodiversity since 2008. SRC is proud to be at the forefront of this process to manage biodiversity and ecosystem services sustainably in the urban context. We’re confident that, with the support of the Global Partnership, we will produce essential knowledge needed to steer urban development onto a sustainable path. By linking a more extensive scientific version of the City Biodiversity Outlook to its policy-making synthesis, we’re emphasizing one of the most valuable characteristics of the Convention: groundbreaking science supporting strategic decision-making.”

Ahmed Djoghlaf said: “The City and Biodiversity Outlook will be a major tool to monitor the implementation of the Singapore Urban Biodiversity Index, now implemented in more than 50 cities. In a more and more urbanized planet, this major publication will bring the message to the people of the world that the battle for life on Earth will be won or lost in the cities and confirm the wisdom of the former Mayor of Curitiba, Jaime Lerner, who said that cities are not the problem but part of the solution.” The First Summit on Cities and Biodiversity held in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010 with the participation of more than 650 municipality representatives, including 200 mayors, finalized a plan of action on cities and biodiversity which was subsequently endorsed by the 18,500 participants in the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. In endorsing this plan of action the 193 Parties and their partners requested the Executive Secretary to prepare an assessment of the links and opportunities between urbanization and biodiversity based on the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting, to be held in 2012.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Twenty years ago, Severn Cullis-Suzukispoke in front of world leaders at the Earth Summit 1992. Just few months ago Severn called us and proposed that we invite Ta’kaiya Blaney to be one of the 20 Champions of We Canada. Check this out:

Rains, which have already claimed 209 lives and displaced 5.3 million people in Sindh, pounded southern parts of the country on Monday causing more destruction. Recent rains in Sindh were nearly two-and-a-half time’s normal levels, and inundated 4.1 million acres, including 1.7 million acres of crops. Some 700,000 houses had been damaged, 150,000 people are in relief camps and64,000 livestock are lost.

About 170 critically-endangered golden wild yaks, a species once believed to be extinct, roam in Changtangnature reserve in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The golden wild yak, known for its golden fur, is the rarest of wild yaks and unique to the Changtang reserve.

Six rare golden-crested mynas were sighted for the first time in three decades in Tinkupani Reserve Forest in Tinsukia district. In India, the bird has previously been sighted only in the forests of Manipur and Cachar district of Assam many years ago.

In the last two months, 5 wild elephants and 6 humans have died in the man-elephant conflict in Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Udalguri.This sanctuary alleges say that tea garden owners and their staffencroach forest land; spray chemical fertilizers and pesticides everywhereand dig deep trenches which are death traps for elephant calves.

Forest staff found a carcass of an adult male rhino and authorities claimed that the rhino died due to old age, not by poaching. Moreover, two rhino calves were found dead in mid August and September and the cause of death is not ascertained.

A tigress with two cubs from Dudhuwa National Park, India entered Shivahari Community Forest of Tribhuwanbasti of Kanchanpur District three weeks back.According to a local, the tiger with cubs move into human settlements in the daytime and have killed half dozen of cows and a several dogs in neighboring villages.

Patrolling has not been carried out in the newly created Banke national park for the past two months as rift between the park management and army personnel arose on selecting the sites where 8 army barracks will be constructed. Locals report that increased smuggling of timbers and wildlife.

Montreal, 15 September 2011— At an international strategic meeting, held in the Old Town Hall, Bonn, on 5-6 September 2011, Bonn Mayor Jürgen Nimptsch and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf invited the members of the Global Partnership on Local and Sub-National Action for Biodiversity to work on an implementation plan for cities to support decision X/22 of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which defined a strategy for its 193 members to implement its decisions at local and sub-national levels. A roadmap of events, projects and activities was also determined towards the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be held in Hyderabad, India, in October 2012. Similar implementation plans will be developed for sub-national governments, the scientific community and international organizations.

The 2008 United Nations biodiversity conference in Bonn recognized, for the first time, the important role cities play in the protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. The Bonn Call for Action, adopted during an international mayors’ conference held parallel to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, was brought to the high-level segment of the meeting by four mayors from four continents. This led to the foundation of a Global Partnership for Cities and Biodiversity, under which cities and the city network ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability have sought cooperation with regions, with United Nations organizations (including UN-HABITAT, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and with scientific networks such as URBIO and IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2010, Parties to the Convention met in Nagoya, Japan, and adopted a Plan of Action for cities and sub-national levels of government. This opened up new and suitable options for cities to contribute towards the protection and sustainable use of life on Earth. A first meeting on the implementation of the Plan of Action was held January 2011 in Montpellier, France.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

At our Macoun Marsh we have seen many birds but the most elusive is the Sora. It is even harder for young children to see it as this water bird loves to hide in the vegetation. It does not like noise! It came out today for a brief viewing in front of an excited Grade 3 class from St-Laurent Academy.

Having worked with the youth board for a few years I've gotten to meet representatives from various organizations that are partners with biodiversitymatters.org. One organization that stood out to me is USC because of the approach they take to challenges such as food security and sustainable farming practices.USC Canada works to promote family farms and strong rural communities to ensure food security in 11 countries around the world. USC centres itself on their core values of "rights, resilience, and respect" for people and our planet making it an inspirational example of how making changes at the community level can make a meaningful difference. They focuses on five key themes to achieve their goals:-Seed security and diversity-Climate change adaptation and mitigation-Community-based economic development-Promoting gender equality-Engaging young farmersUSC Canada invites us to make a difference here(http://usc-canada.org/what-you-can-do/) and you can get a better understanding of why USC is working to help small scale farms and how this effects your life by checking out their video(5min) "The Story of Food" athttp://usc-canada.org/storyoffood/

Module 1: The Tree of Life (2 hours) Saturday, September 17th- 10:00 to noon at ALSA (641 Sladen Ave., Ottawa, Ontario) The concept of a tree of life as a multi-branched trunk illustrates the 4 billion year evolution of all life on earth.This concept is continually changing as more genetic information shows us how closely we are related to all living things.The purpose of this class is to broaden the student’s concept of how life functions within diverse ecosystems and on a planetary scale.

We will use our outdoor study area in the center of urban Ottawa.Our Macoun Marsh project in Beechwood Cemetery continues to be our core biodiversity project. To date, almost 1350 species have been recorded here.A personal nature journal will be used to record discoveries.

Biodiversity is used in medical research and in our food industry.It is directly connected to the purification of the air and water, decomposition of wastes, recycling of nutrients, the pollination of crops, and the regulation of our climate.Many cultural services are to be considered here.Our global economy cannot function without biodiversity.

We need more protected areas, not just outside human cities, but inside as well.We need connections between protected spaces so species can move from one area to the next.We need to learn how to live with wildlife in our backyards.

The students will partake in various activities that connect seemingly unrelated everyday products to their biological sources.

Module 3: Political Action (2 hours) November 12th- 10:00 to noon at ALSA

Dr Djoghlaf, Executive Director of the CBD is quoted as saying "We are experiencing the greatest wave of extinctions since the disappearance of the dinosaurs. Extinction rates are rising by a factor of up to 1,000 above natural rates. Every hour, three species disappear. Every day, up to 150 species are lost. Every year, between 18,000 and 55,000 species become extinct.”

Our planet’s future rests on the conservation of our irreplaceable natural heritage- our biodiversity.Species are being lost at an unprecedented rate with massive consequences for our planet, the economy, and our health.

Understanding our place in the global community is key to this process. The students will meet face-to-face with youth that have been active in the formation of the International Youth Accord for Biodiversity and its presentation in Nagoya, Japan at COP10 in October 2010.Students will be made aware of local, national, and international opportunities as possible venues for involvement.